As the professor approached her chair, Marion drew back cautiously. While she would have given her all to see him closer, she was afraid herself of being detected.
“You are a shrewd one,” whispered her escort; “he did not even see you. Most women would have stared at him and attracted his attention.”
The brave girl smiled sadly as she leaned a little nearer.
“There is too much at stake,” she said shortly. “I must be more than cautious if I would save my poor sister.”
One after another of the “subjects” were “put to sleep” or led into semi-hypnotic conditions by the professor’s magic. They danced, sang, recited, in fact, did anything whatsoever that he wished. Not one seemed able to move a muscle unless he willed it.
The brave country girl’s heart grew heavy as she witnessed his power. Her brain seemed to reel under the full consciousness of Dollie’s danger.
Suddenly she felt a light touch on her arm from some one in the rear. She turned and saw a quiet-looking man leaning carelessly toward her.
“The detective from headquarters,” whispered Mr. Ray, in her ear.
Marion smiled and nodded, and the man moved a little nearer.
“You are sure it’s the chap?” he said, very softly.